New York, NY, November 21, 2024 — Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation in South Africa, raised $1.15 million in funding at its ninth annual gala held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on November 15.
The packed event in the Plaza’s stunning Grand Ballroom with over 370 guests began with a rousing performance of “Far Away”, a theme song written and produced by Zulu musician and The Lion King on Broadway cast member Bongi Duma. Duma composed three songs exclusively for Wild Tomorrow for the evening as soundtracks to the NGO’s 2024 video story, which blended into Duma’s live performance, ending with an invigorated crowd singing along to “Thulululu”.
Following the special appearance, Co-founders John Steward and Wendy Hapgood began their welcome message by highlighting the most current data about wild species in decline from the latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet report, which reveals a staggering 73% decline in the population of wild species since 1970. More than two of every three wild animals on our planet have disappeared in just fifty years. “Rather than despair,” Hapgood said, “we must act now to create hope and funding for the wild world. That’s why we launched Wild Tomorrow in 2015: to empower others to come together to push back against the forces of extinction. Together, we can protect, restore and rewild habitat for threatened African species.”
Chairman Seth Hendon announced an upcoming expansion of the protected area established by Wild Tomorrow in South Africa, the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, with news of the purchase of two new pieces of land, both former pineapple farms, which will add 900 additional acres of habitat for threatened species. “We are excited to begin a long-term restoration project, converting pineapple fields back to forest,” said Hendon. This reserve expansion is in addition to the acquisition earlier in the year of the 731-acre “Sisonke Farm”, which restored habitat connectivity within the reserve, allowing the removal of internal fences that previously blocked the movement of wildlife, benefiting 50 threatened species, including the endangered African savannah elephant and the critically endangered black rhino.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2024 Umvikeli Wildlife Protector Award to the K9 anti-poaching unit at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The award recognized the dedication and efforts of these rangers and their canine partners, who work to combat rhino poaching in the region.
Dennis Kelly, a section ranger and coordinator of the K9 unit, traveled to New York to accept the Wildlife Protector Award on behalf of his team. “In a time when nature is being lost rapidly, we are proud to contribute to rhino conservation,” Dennis said. “By protecting rhinos, we are helping to preserve vital ecosystems and habitats that benefit all species.” As part of the award, Wild Tomorrow will donate to support the K9 Unit’s operations, including the purchase of equipment and supplies.
“The evening was a moving celebration of life on our planet”, says Executive Director and Founder John Steward, “from the magnificent elephant whose strength and intelligence seem to carry the wisdom of the earth to the lowly termite – the silent architects of our planet — turning decay into fertile soil. Every species matters. The record-breaking support raised on the evening is proof that people care deeply and are ready to act to protect and restore nature.”
About Wild Tomorrow: Wild Tomorrow is dedicated to the protection of threatened and endangered species and the habitats they depend on for survival. Their largest project is the creation of a wildlife corridor that protects and expands habitat for endangered African elephants, critically endangered black rhinoceros, leopards, and other lesser-known yet equally important species in the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Visit wildtomorrowfund.org.
Published by: Annie P.
